MANILA, Philippines — Ceres Negros FC, riding on OJ Porteria’s brace and Bienvenido Maranon’s penalty, slipped past Myanmar’s Shan United in the AFC Cup opener, 3-2, and atoned for its earlier flop in front of supporters at Panaad Park and Stadium Tuesday night. The Busmen seized a 2-0 lead in the first 45 minutes then fended off the Shan’s second-half fightback to secure the victory and redeem themselves from their shocking loss to another Burmese club the last time they played at home for the AFC Champions League Preliminaries. Porteria drew first blood from close range in the 19th minute and Maranon doubled it from the spot in the 37th as Ceres reaped the fruits of a dominant performance in the opening half. But the visitors came to life after the break and pulled one back on Sin Min Tun’s 51st minute strike, putting pressure on the home side. Porteria, though, restored a two-goal spread in the 88th as he latched on a long ball and shot it past the Shan keeper before sub Ko Ko Cit pounced on a defensive miscue to make it 3-2 a minute later.

Source: Philippine Star February 27, 2019 16:00 UTC